A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for astrenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number onefruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way abanana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent asubstantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to addto our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongstpeople suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating abanana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of proteinthat the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improveyour mood and generally make you feel happier.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobinin the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high inpotassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. Somuch so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the bananaindustry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce therisk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helpedthrough their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, andlunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that thepotassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can helprestore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem withoutresorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make abanana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomachand, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels,while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so ifyou suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbingthe affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find itamazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervoussystem.

Overweight: Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria foundpressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate andcrisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the mostobese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concludedthat, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our bloodsugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours tokeep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinaldisorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only rawfruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. Italso neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating thelining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling"fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature ofexpectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananasto ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give upsmoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium andmagnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects ofnicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize theheartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's waterbalance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, therebyreducing our potassium levels. These can be re balanced with the help ofa high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine,eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death bystrokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want tokill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart,with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with aplaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compareit to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate,three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twicethe other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is oneof the best value foods around So maybe its time to change thatwell-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctoraway!"

PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are sohappy all the time!I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDEof the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with drycloth. Amazing fruit.

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Re: Going Bananas?

Marion,

You sent this just in time, I am in the process of buying a house and everything was going swimmingly when all of a sudden the whole deal turned into a royal mess and I could really use a banana for the stress and ulcers and high blood pressure and for the hangover I will have when I get my hands on a good bottle of wine!

Patty

p.s. You might get lucky with the weather in Chicago, today was quite balmy for mid-October. If not, you can always eat a banana for the SAD.

Re: Going Bananas?

Lainy....keep us up with the progress and the world change. They did not say how many bananas per day and....is one supposed to eat one for each symptom? I just thought it was another interesting article. Who knows, it may just have some positive results but I am hoping that this article was not meant to promote the banana industry.

Patty: If the banana will accomplish all of it: house deal goes through, the ulcer does not cause any problems, you blood pressure is on an acceptable level and your hangover is cured.....well, then I am off to the store for my purchase of bananas.

Now, if it causes the weather to be balmy in Chicago for my next visit then, I will buy stocks from Del Monte and Chiquita. Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Re: Going Bananas?

OMG Suzanne, that is the only way I will eat a banana, sliced with a little sugar sprinkled on it. Oh, wait, I also like it with a little ice cream. Too funny, I thought that was one of my weird secrets that only pertained to me!

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHINGAny suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.

Re: Going Bananas?

Okay, I think I'm way weirder bananas with peanut butter & honey and/or potato chips. Maybe even made into a sandwich!

"One Day At A Time"

All of my comments and suggestions are just my opinions and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care providers.

Re: Going Bananas?

I think so, or something close to that. I actually saw him in Vegas back in the day when he was still thin & good looking.

"One Day At A Time"

All of my comments and suggestions are just my opinions and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care providers.

Re: Going Bananas?

Re: Going Bananas?

Lainy, I know he only left the building, but I have to try to remember him the way he was before, not how he was when he left! Louise, if he went for bananas, I hope he remembers the peanut butter, honey & chips, too!

"One Day At A Time"

All of my comments and suggestions are just my opinions and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care providers.

Re: Going Bananas?

marions, that reminded me of a "funny" story that happened to me years ago. it has to do with carrot pulp and it was supposed to be a cure of sorts for wounds. welllllllll, i had injured my leg when i went running through my house to get something (in the dark right after i had rearranged the furniture) and hit an unmovable coffee table at full speed. sooooooooo, my new zealand friend informed me that carrot pulp was just the fix i needed. so, i applied some to my leg and put some tape over it. the next day i left for a church retreat in the local mountains.

i managed to get blood poisoning (got some ink from a ditto machine into a paper cut on my finger) and was taken to a hospital the er doc asked if i had any other wounds and if they were slow to heal (looking for diabetes i think). that's when it hit me that i still had carrot pulp taped to my leg. when the doc saw the carrot pulp .... i thought he was going to call for the guys in the white coats. he proceeded to fire a lot of questions at me as to just what kind of church i was involved with. i don't think he believed me when i told him that it had nothing to do with the church.

next the church members questioned me, then people where i worked.... i decided that i wound not try that "treatment" a second time.

i can't remember if the carrot pulp helped at all and but whatever was done to treat the blood poisoning did help.

Re: Going Bananas?

Oh Barb....I thought to check on the board one more time before tuning out for the day (it was not the greatest to begin with) and here comes your posting. Thanks so much. I was laughing so loud causing my kids to check on me. Well, they are laughing too. Thanks for making my evening.HugsMarion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

The information expressed is not medical advice. The discussion boards are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for the medical advice of physicians or other healthcare providers. Read the full disclaimer.